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Witnesses reported seeing large flames leaping from the upper floors of the Younkers building just after 1 a.m. Sat., March 29, 2014. Firefighters quickly called for reinforcements as the building became swallowed up in flames. Within three minutes of crews being on scene, the blaze was upgraded to a three-alarm fire.

Several hours later, all that was left of the Des Moines icon was a charred structure and scattered ashes across downtown streets. The smoke that hung over the city was so heavy that it was seen on weather radars.

EMC Insurance said the fire caused an estimated $8 million in damages. In a nine-page lawsuit, EMC claims two construction companies were involved in ultra-hazardous and inherently dangerous construction activities during the days leading up to the fire.

WHAT IOWANS REMEMBER

"I was really sad because it will never be there. It's done. It's gone," said Leila Bergis, who shopped at the former Younkers store in downtown Des Moines.

"In the '60s you had the elevator operators who told you what was on each and every floor," Bergis said.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said the building’s loss is sad for a lot of Iowans.

"Certainly for those of us who grew up here, it's sort of like somebody tore a part of our heart out," Cownie told KCCI last year.

What are your memories of the former Younkers store? Leave a comment below, or let us know on Facebook.

UPCOMING PLANS

The fire destroyed the east half of the old Younkers department store and plans for 120 new apartments. Now, there are plans in the works for the other half of the building.

Developer David Vos said a scaled-back, $19-million plan will transform the west side of the building.

Developers plan to expose the old red brick resting under layers of gray paint.

Inside, they plan to build a mix of 60 market-rate and affordable apartments with retail on the first floor. If all goes well, construction should be finished by this fall, and all signs of the March fire will be gone for good.